New tracks and trails to explore our urban parks

Tuesday 27 February, 2024

Parks are like the lungs of a city.

And they’re great for our own lungs too – places to connect with nature and get active.

Whether you’re into walking, running or cycling, we’re delivering track and trail projects in urban parks to help keep visitors and local communities moving.

The Main Yarra Trail is one of Melbourne’s iconic routes. Following the Birrarung Yarra River between the north-eastern suburbs and the city, the trail connects green spaces like Yarra Bend Park and Westerfolds Park. We’re adding our own iconic feature – a sweeping, elevated pathway.

On-track to open this later year, the project will dramatically improve how people can travel along the trail, regardless of their accessibility requirements or choice of transport. 

Artist impression of the Gipps Street Ramp

Above: An illustrative image of the new pathway for the Main Yarra Trail.

 

Speaking of improving journeys – the Bay Trail extension project now delivers a faster, safer and more direct journey for the community to walk, run and cycle from Williamstown to Point Cook Coastal Park

This clever piece of work has reduced a 3.8km detour down to just over 400 metres of continuous, flat, travel through this area of coastal landscapes, wildlife and peaceful surrounds.

 The Bay Trail extension when entering from Sanctuary Lakes South Boulevard.

Above: A new section of the Bay Trail extension.

 

Visitors to Plenty Gorge Park will soon be able to wind through sections of beautiful bushland in Melbourne's north-east, with works underway on the first section of the Plenty River Trail.

The trail will be built for pedestrians and cyclists, and help connect communities to the north and south of the park. Five new lookouts will offer spectacular views, and two new bridges additional river crossings for exploring the park. 

 

Plenty river Trail Blue Lake Lookout render

Above: An illustrative example of a new section of the Plenty River Trail.

 
At popular Jells Park, meanwhile, two shared-use trails are on the way. Designs are done and works will start later this year. With input from hundreds of community members, this project will cater for walkers, runners and cyclists, offering up beautiful views of Jells Lake and the park’s green open spaces.

 

A young boy walks hand-in-hand with his grandmother, while his mother pushes his younger sibling in a pram.

Above: More ways to explore Jells Park are on the way. 


It's early stages for a new 35-hectare park near Vermont, but a feature of this former freeway reserve will be a 3.5km shared-use trail. Running the length of the currently named 'Healesville Freeway Reserve', it’ll be supported by seating, drinking fountains, signage and lighting to help cyclists, runners and walkers along their journey.
 
Spending time in the outdoors is great for our health. These new projects are just some of the ways we’re working to create new experiences that connect people with nature.
 
Tracks and trails, new campgrounds, boardwalks and lookouts, sports facilities, toilets and picnic grounds – we’re delivering projects right across the state. Projects that are also creating jobs and injecting millions into local and regional economies.
 

 

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